Is the technical inspection getting more expensive?

Companies announce price increases due to new regulations, while the Ministry of Interior says there are no significant costs for technical services, but that prices in Montenegro are the lowest in the region.

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Stricter EU registration directives have begun to be implemented, Photo: Shutterstock
Stricter EU registration directives have begun to be implemented, Photo: Shutterstock
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Companies that deal with technical inspections and registrations of motor vehicles unofficially told "Vijesti" that the prices of their services will soon increase due to rising costs, but also new regulations in this area that are being prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Transport.

When asked by "Vijesti" whether they are preparing a new regulation on technical inspection and when it can be expected to be implemented, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said that they are currently in the final phase of amending the regulation on technical inspection of vehicles, which will be fully aligned with EU Directives.

This department states that changes to the regulations cannot in any way increase the costs of vehicle technical inspections, but they also admit that the current prices of technical inspections in Montenegro are the lowest in the region.

The Ministry of Interior says that the changes to this rulebook do not foresee any significant new costs for companies that deal with technical inspections or additional training for their employees.

"Owners of technical inspections will not be obliged to purchase new equipment, but will only have to adapt existing software solutions to the new solutions," the Ministry of the Interior said.

A source for "Vijesti" from companies that deal with technical inspections said that harmonization with EU directives refers to stricter requirements for technical inspections regarding emissions, the correctness of braking systems and other parts of motor vehicles.

"The conditions that vehicles in road traffic must meet, including in terms of exhaust gas emissions and braking systems, are prescribed by the regulation on detailed conditions that vehicles in road traffic must meet, and not by the regulation on technical inspection of vehicles. The adoption of the aforementioned regulation is within the competence of the Ministry of Transport, and according to our information, its amendments are being worked on," the Ministry of the Interior told "Vijesti".

The Ministry of Transport states that they are not preparing a new Rulebook on detailed requirements that vehicles in road traffic must meet because the existing one is being applied (“Official Gazette of Montenegro”, No. 2/2015, 73/2023 and 62/2024). This rulebook prescribes detailed requirements that vehicles in road traffic must meet in terms of dimensions, total mass and axle load, technical conditions and devices, assemblies and equipment, and technical standards.

"The regulation is largely in line with European Union regulations and directives. The regulation is already being implemented," the Ministry of Transport said.

When asked whether the new rules could lead to an increase in the price of vehicle technical inspections, the department said that they were not responsible for technical inspections and that this was a matter for the Ministry of the Interior.

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